Improvement in desks



H. H. W'IGGERS.

DESK. `N 187,074. Patented Feb. ,6, `1877.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

l HENREY H. WIGGERS, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN DEsKs.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 187,074, dated February 6, 1877; application filed January 9, 1877. v

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENREY H. WIGGERs, ofA Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of- Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Desks or Secretaries, which improvement is fully set forth in the following speciication and accompanying drawing, in which latter- Figure l is a perspective view, showing my desk in its normal or closed position, and Fig. 2 represents a different pattern ot' desk with its sliding leaf or table drawn forward, and the hinged covers opened so as to expose the pigeon-holes. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the closed desk at the line i@ i, and Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectionized plan of a por- `tion of the sliding leaf and its supporting member.

My invention comprises a desk or secretary whose pi geonholes or other receptacles for containing books, stationery, Ste., are concealed by a pair of hinged covers of any suitable shape, said covers being coupled to a sliding or reciprocating leaf in such a manner as to compel them to open simultaneously to the right and left when said leaf is drawn out for use as a Writing-table, or for any other purpose whatever.` This act exposes the pigeon-holes of the desk, and also affords access to all articles contained within the hinged covers, and the moment the aforesaid table is slid back to its normal position these covers closeV simultaneously, and again. conceal the contents of the desk. This result is preferably accomplished by coupling these hinged covers to the sliding or horizontally-reciprocating leaf or table with a pair of pivoted connecting-rods,- although the proper movement may be imparted from the table to the covers by any other suitable devices.

A represents the main frame or case of the desk or secretary, which case can be of any suitable size and shape, and finished in the most ornamental manner, if desired. As represented in Fig. 1, the top of the desk is fur- -nished with an elevated shelf, B, and, it' preferred, a series of such shelves may be provided so as to constitute a book-case. This shelf, however, may be omitted, as seen in Fig. 2. Furthermore, Fig. l shows the lower portion of said case furnished with a pair of4 books, stationery, &;c.

hinged doors, C G', while in Fig. 2 these doors are omitted, and two series of drawers, D D', are substituted for themsaid drawers being separated by an interval or recess, E. Secured to this case at any convenient height are two parallel and, preferably, horizontal pieces, F F', which project outwardly or from the general front oi' the desk as far as may be necessary. The opposingY edges of these pieces are to'ngued, respectively, at f f', which tongues engage with the appropriate grooves g g of a slide or leaf or table, G, whose front is about flush with the outer'ends of the supporting members F Fl when the desk is closed. Pivoted to this table or leaf at hi are two coupling rods or links, H I, whose other ends are pvoted to the hinged covers J J' at h i. These covers may be ot' any suitable shape, and they are hinged at j j to that portion of the case which extends above the slide Gr, said extension being provided with pigeon-holes K, or other convenient receptacles for containing A sucient space is afforded beneath the lower shelf la of these pigeon-holes to allow free play ofthe connecting-rods H I, which space is occupied by the cleat L when leaf G is drawn out. This cleat projects upwardly from the rear edge of said leaf, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3. M represen ts any convenient form of handle or knob wherewith the slide G is manipulated. N is a head that conceals the parting between the two hinged` covers J J when the latter are closed. Cover J is provided with a slotted or notched plate, O, capable of insertion in the slot a, of the case, so as to receive the bolt of lock P. By this simple arrangement a single lock suffices to secure the covers and the slide in their closed condition. When the covers J J are closed, as seen in Fig. l, the pigeonholes K are concealed, and no access can be had to said holes, or to any article contained within said covers while the lock l? retains the catch O.

To open the desk, it is only necessary to arrested by any other suitable devices. As leafGr advances, motion is communicated to the covers J J by means of their appropriate coupling-rods H I, thereby gradually opening said covers in opposite directions, and by the time said leaf is drawn out the proper distance the covers assume the position shown in Fig. 2. Table G is now in a convenient position for use, and articles contained in the pigeon-holes K or in the covers J J are readily accessible to the person seated at the desk.

To close the desk, it is only necessary to retract or slide back the leaf G, Which act causes rods H I to draw thc covers J J together until they assume the position shown in Figs; 1 and 2, after which said covers and their operating leaf' are securely locked, as previously described.

As the principal feature of my invention consists in opening and closing the hinged covers J J by means of a reciprocating table, leaf, or sliding member, G, I reserve the right of dispensing With the coupling-rods H I, and substituting for them any other suitable devices that will accomplish the Asanne resultas, for example, racks on leaf G to engage With segment-pinions secured to said hinged covers.

I reserve the right, also, of omitting the tonguesff, and employing in their places a series ofanti-friction rollers for supporting the sliding member G in its proper position, and,

Adrawn out for use.

I reserve the right, also, of providing the covers J J with pigeonholes, or any other conveniences applicable to desks, 8vo. Finally, instead of opening the two covers simultaneously, I may arrange the coupling devices H I in such a manner as to open the one J in advance of the one J.

I claim as my inventionl. A desk or secretary provided with a pair of hinged covers coupled to a sliding member in such a manner 'that the advancement of said slide causes the covers to open to the right and left respectively, While the retraction of the slide restores them to their normal or closed position, substantially as herein described.

2. In combination With a case or frame, A, hinged covers Jj Jj, and reciprocating leaf or table G, the coupling devices H h h I i i', substantially as herein describedand for the purpose set forth.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

HENREY H. WIGGERS. Witnesses:

JAMES H. LAYMAN, D. P. KENNEDY. 

